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So you'd rather we got relegated last season rather than us have that loss to united?

I very much doubt Smallbone starts, we have like 7 players competing for those two roles who are ahead of him.

He's not just an upgrade, he basically doubled his win % whilst spending significantly less than rivals in the interim.

No matter what age you are, Covid is more dangerous than the covid vaccine. Myocarditis has a 1/10000 chance of even mild effects, covid itself much higher and carries multiple other risks, such as long term lung damage for the young. That's why scientific experts recommend vaccines for kids regardless of what random guys on Internet forums and conmen like GB News and Paul Joseph Watson reckon.

I disagree with Ralph, I thought it was a good strategy. If anything if I was obsessed with the guy or thought his word was gospel I'd pivot to agree with him when he said he made a mistake. He didn't. A 4222 would have been much more likely to concede and pivoting to a three man midfield would have been fighting a losing battle rather than suring up the defence, especially with Diallo and Stu injured.

I liked Idles last album too! Joy as an act of resistance was such an incredible album they had a really hard task to follow it, but I think it's still pretty good. Better than brutalism imo.

Why? He's the prems 4th longest serving manager. We've had plenty of time to judge him. He is a massive upgrade on what preceded him despite spending a huge amount less than our rivals.

Midfield aerial battles from pumps upfield are important. His ability to win long balls, control them and start attacks are a key method of relieving pressure when the other team is attacking as well as facilitating quick counters.

So he could have a third CB? And when he had Diallo and Armstrong out so would have had to play a well off the pace Will Smallbone. Not a bad decision at all really. If you wanted one less player in our defence so we can have Will Smallbone in our midfield, after being out for ages and clearly being well off it, against a midfield of Liverpools quality you are crazy. Give me an extra CB anyday, there is nothing Smallbone could have done to sway that battle against one of the best midfields in the world.

Before Ralph our previous two managers had a win % of 18% and 23% and had us within touching distance of relegation multiple times. Since Ralph came in his win % is % is 36%, we haven't come close to relegation, and our team is clearly exponentially better. All this happened while spending the second least in the league, so objectively getting weaker than those around us squad valuewise. You can say cult all you like, but some people are less hung up on two freak results and can see the bigger picture.

I think, generally speaking, clubs care more about the bottom line and less about pride. Ralph was perhaps lucky to survive the first 9-0, although sticking by him was very much proven to be the correct move, but by the second one he had proven he was a good manager over the course of many many months so a bad result or two was unlikely to see him lose his job. Especially when he had already, by that point in the season, accumulated enough points for prem safety. With our level of investment safety is basically the only goal and as long as he is nowhere near a relegation battle (as he has been) then he will be fine.

The burnley deal went from no one knowing about it to done in the space of a couple of weeks if I remember correctly. It's not that quick. I don't think it will certainly happen, but there could be something brewing.

I don't think he does... I think he makes the occasional error like any manager but I think his team selections are mostly well justified and often I think fans who criticise them are often not a party to: A) Injury/fitness issues B) Players under/overperforming in training C) Aspects of a players game which don't matter as much to a fan but are crucial to our system and you would quickly notice if they were missing ie. passing for a CB, pressing for a forward or attacking mid, or cross claiming with a goalkeeper I doubt many teams would sack Ralph given how little money he has been given to invest and how poor a squad he inherited. Fans think sacking a manager is a "win more" button and unrealistic expectations for their side. Clubs aren't afflicted so much by this. Also this "cult" thing is embarrassing. Is it that hard to just realise people have a different view to you and notice a marked increase from the Hughes, Pellegrino era with, relative to the rest of the league, negative investment?

Ralph has done perfectly well with the money provided, has improved players considerably, knows the team and it's strengths incredibly well, and has proven that he can take a small team and push them up the league to the higher echelons when given a budget (RB Leipzig). I honestly can't think of a better realistic person to do the job if we get ambitious owners.

If you think he's obvious (like more than about 30%) I'd put some money on. You can get 11/2 on betfair. I personally think there is next to no chance he goes unless we get a new owner and they are a nutter.

Leaking names can often scupper deals, said Sheldon on TSP. They can say it is close but as Semmens said, if a buyer is being plastered all over the media it probably won't happen, it's the quiet ones that you'd expect to be more likely.

He lacks a lot of what Tino has imo. He is very poor defensively, basically playing as a winger for Brighton. Also his injury record is appalling. Very talented footballer though.

I hope that they told Forster and Macca that they would be back up if they signed a contract and would have to take a big pay cut and only Macca was up for it. Really hope we see Sam Johnstone in, hopefully Maccas weak performances recently coupled with West Broms need to sell to get anything for him means we have a look in January

I follow Blackmore, Leach, and Sheldon. The latter isn't always the best writer but he is a reliable source and has good scoops. To be honest, if something is worth knowing Leach will retweet or repost it so following him alone does the job.

Failing to control a pass does count, yeah, it judges times when the ball is in your effective range of control, even if you don't control it.

Who is "they"?

I mean, that'll happen if you line up the real money shows of GB News (Farage and co) against the random news24 shows on BBC. That's why it's better to take a weekly average.

I have fast powerful hands, MLG better beware

A little disingenuous, considering that A. There best players have been out for a decent time B. They are only 7 points off Europe. And C. Ancelloti, a very good manager, only got this side to 10th and he had James Rodriguez at his disposal as opposed to Andros Townsend.

So you didn't read it. You say it isn't compared to gbn even though I explicitly make that comparison in the comment